Training, riding, and motivations among San Francisco Bay Area motorcyclists

Background

Motorcycle ridership and traffic collisions have increased greatly across the US over the past decade. California saw a 63% increase of currently registered motorcycles between 1997 and 2006. Fatal collisions doubled during that period (248 in 1997, 520 in 2006) and the number of non-fatal injury collisions increased by 43%.

Methods

The objectives of this study were (1) to determine the feasibility of conducting large-scale motorcyclist surveys by testing various sampling strategies and (2) to enhance knowledge of the characteristics, behaviors, and motivations of motorcyclists in the San Francisco Bay Area. We conducted a survey using field, phone, web, and mail administration. Riders were identified at recreational riding areas, by leafleting motorcycles in public commuter residential parking areas, and by posting on Internet forums.

Results

A total of 861 motorcyclists were interviewed (74 phone/mail, 517 web, and 270 field). Median age was 38 years old, 79% were male, and 14% were non-white. Mean riding experience was 16.8 years. 23% reported owning more than one motorcycle. 92% of respondents report riding with a full face helmet at least sometimes. For those who never wear a full face helmet, 43% usually wore an open-face helmet. 63% reported having completed a training course. Of those that did not, 31% said they also received no informal training.

Conclusions

Field sampling in recreational areas and Internet sampling were productive recruitment strategies. Internet sampling was the most cost effective. Motorcycle leafleting was productive and cost-effective, and the was likely more representative than other methods.